As the lead on Cambridge Quantum’s algorithms team, Dr Herbert is currently focused on sampling and estimation algorithms, which are slated to witness the first definitive quantum advantage.
The crux of Dr Herbert’s work lies in quantum mechanics’ ability to solve computational problems at a significantly quicker rate than classical computing. His guiding force and what compels everything he does at Cambridge Quantum always harks back to realising an unequivocal quantum computational advantage sooner rather than later.
Dr Herbert initially made the jump into quantum computing as an academic due to the virtually never-ending backlog of unsolved problems. In his opinion, it is no exaggeration to say that quantum computing will touch nearly every aspect of life, and he’d like to put his research to the test and make a real difference in the process.
This past summer, Dr Herbert published a trilogy of papers which together provide a complete picture for realising quantum advantage in Monte Carlo integration with minimal resource requirements. You can read about them further below in the links section, and they have been picked up by various media outlets, most notably Forbes.
Now, let’s find out more on anything and everything – from quantum computing and Dr Herbert’s day to day through to his idea of the perfect day and thoughts on the Drake equation.